8730results about "Air-break switches" patented technology

A wireless power transmission unit according to the present invention transmits power wirelessly from a power transmitting section 100 to a power receiving section 200 through a resonant magnetic field. The unit includes: the power transmitting section 100, which resonates at a resonant frequency f0; at least one relay section 300, which can resonate at a frequency that is selected from multiple frequencies including the resonant frequency f0; and a resonance control section 600 that outputs information that specifies a resonance condition to be imposed on the relay section 300 according to the arrangement of the power receiving section 200 and that makes the relay section 300 resonate on the resonance condition that has been specified in accordance with that information.

A system and method is provided to enable consumers to intelligently manage their consumption of energy. In one embodiment, waveform data is collected for a plurality of appliances which may be found in a residential or commercial setting using a plurality of multi-port outlet monitoring devices. The collected waveform data is processed and analyzed to obtain power consumption profiles that indicate power consumption on a per-appliance and / or per-outlet basis and / or per user basis.

A power scavenging device attaches to an overhead power cable and a support pole. The power scavenging device includes a non-conducting outer body and a first capacitor and a second capacitor that are connected in series forming a voltage divider. A voltage source converter is electrically connected to the output of the power scavenging device. The voltage source converter outputs a regulated power.

A method and apparatus for converting DC input power to AC output power. The apparatus comprises a conversion module comprising an input capacitor, and a first feedback loop for determining a maximum power point (MPP) and operating the conversion module proximate the MPP. The apparatus additionally comprises a second feedback loop for determining a difference in energy storage and delivery by the input capacitor, producing an error signal indicative of the difference, and coupling the error signal to the first feedback loop to adjust at least one operating parameter of the conversion module to drive toward the MPP.

The subject matter of the present invention is a load breaker arrangement (1) for switching on and off a DC current of a DC current circuit in a photovoltaic plant with a semiconductor switching element (4) to avoid a switching arc, there being provided an electronic control unit (5) configured such that one or more signals are received by the control unit, and the load breaker arrangement (1) being configured such that in at least one current-carrying line of the DC current circuit there is galvanic separation by a switching contact that is automatically controllable by the control unit (5) in the switched-off condition and one or more control signals being transmitted to the load breaker arrangement (1) and a semiconductor switching element (4) interrupting the DC current so that the switching contact is de-energized, wherebythe signals are flaw signals that are received in case of a flaw in the PV generator, inverter or on the AC side, the DC current circuit being automatically switched on or off by the control signals in case of at least one flaw,said arrangement being configured such that, during switch off,said semiconductor switching element (4) is at first closed in a first step,the switching contacts (K1, K2) of a first switching means are opened in a second step for the DC current to flow through said semiconductor switching element (4),said semiconductor switching element (4) being again opened in a third step andswitching contacts (K1, K2) of a second switching means being opened in order to cause galvanic separation to occurand that an additional manually operable load breaker (8) is connected, said manually operable load breaker (8) being a manually breakable DC current connecting system with plug contacts for photovoltaic plants that is provided with an electronic arc quenching system.

A noncontact power transmission system having a power transmitting device including a primary coil and a power receiving device including a secondary coil, the primary coil and the secondary coil being electromagnetically coupled to each other and the power transmitting device configured to transmit electric power to the power receiving device, wherein the secondary coil contains a magnetic substance, the power transmitting device has a feeding section for feeding power to the primary coil and a self inductance detection section for detecting a change in the self inductance of the primary coil immediately after starting the feeding to the primary coil, wherein a feeding operation of the feeding section immediately after starting the feeding is determined based on a detection result of the self inductance detection section.

An energy management system for an appliance comprising an interface to receive a schedule having an off-peak time segment and an on-peak time segment; a control to determine an operation to be performed by the appliance; a mode selecting device to select between an energy management mode and an immediate start mode; and a controller connected to the interface, the control, and the mode selecting device. The controller is arranged such that upon selection of the energy management mode, the controller initiates the operation only when a current time is within the off-peak time segment; and upon selection of the immediate start mode, the controller initiates the operation immediately.

A contact apparatus is provided having a permanent magnet disposed in a region where a fixing contact point is mounted to a fixing contact and a movable contact to which a movable contact point is mounted. An arc generated between both the contact points is moved in a lateral direction by the magnetic force of the permanent magnet and stretched. An arc-extinguishing member which is heated by the arc for generating arc-extinguishing gas is provided such as to surround the fixing contact point and the movable contact point.

There is provided a power transmission control device included in a power transmission device in a contactless power transmission system that transmits power from the power transmission device to a power receiving device by electromagnetically coupling a primary coil to a secondary coil to supply the power to a load of the power receiving device. The power transmission control device includes a controller controlling the power transmission control device, a host interface communicating with a power transmission-side host, and a register section accessible from the power transmission-side host via the host interface. The controller shifts into a communication mode that executes communication between the power transmission-side host and a power receiving-side host, when the power transmission-side host writes, via the host interface, a communication request command that requests the communication between the hosts in the register section. Then, the controller transmits the communication request command to the power receiving device.

A two-way radio frequency lighting control system comprises a master control including a plurality of manual actuators, and a plurality of dimmers, in which the number of dimmers does not exceed the number of manual actuators. After the lighting control system is installed in an intended end user location, and prior to the first time the lighting control system is energized in the intended end user location, each of the manual actuators is operative to affect the status of one, and only one, of the plurality of dimmers. A turn key lighting control system in which there is a one-to-one correspondence of manual actuators to dimmers is thereby provided.

An appliance network having a first networked appliance, an energy controller, at least one of a smart dimmer and smart adapter, and a communication network coupling the first networked appliance, energy controller, and the at least one of the smart dimmer and smart adapter for communication therebetween.

A motorized racking operator for racking a circuit breaker into and out of electrical switchgear is disclosed. The racking operator includes a motor, an On-Off control in signal communication with the motor, an anti-rotation bracket securely attached to the motor, and a latch. The motor has a drive shaft with an end configured to operably engage with a receiving end of a racking shaft. The latch serves to removably secure the motor and bracket to the circuit breaker such that the motor and bracket move in unison with the circuit breaker in response to the motor driving the racking shaft to rack the circuit breaker into and out of the switchgear. The anti-rotation surface of the bracket engages with a surface of the circuit breaker to prevent rotation of the motor in response to the motor applying a torque to the racking shaft.

A closed-loop control method for an electron beam freeform fabrication (EBF3) process includes detecting a feature of interest during the process using a sensor(s), continuously evaluating the feature of interest to determine, in real time, a change occurring therein, and automatically modifying control parameters to control the EBF3 process. An apparatus provides closed-loop control method of the process, and includes an electron gun for generating an electron beam, a wire feeder for feeding a wire toward a substrate, wherein the wire is melted and progressively deposited in layers onto the substrate, a sensor(s), and a host machine. The sensor(s) measure the feature of interest during the process, and the host machine continuously evaluates the feature of interest to determine, in real time, a change occurring therein. The host machine automatically modifies control parameters to the EBF3 apparatus to control the EBF3 process in a closed-loop manner.

A high output level is maintained in power supplies having multiple cells in each leg. Failed cells in any leg are bypassed to provide a current path through the respective leg. All of the unfailed cells are utilized while maintaining equal magnitude between phases and a balance phase relationship in the line-to-line output voltage. The invention may be utilized in conjunction with a peak voltage reduction circuit, and a by-pass switch.

A racking device performs a circuit breaker racking operation. The racking device includes a base with wheels and a brake to facilitate moving the racking device and positioning it with respect to a switchgear cabinet. An elongated tubular member extends substantially vertically from the base. A self-contained counter-balanced power module includes an enclosure having a pair of opposing openings for receiving the elongated tubular member, and a counterweight system for counter-balancing the power module. An actuator including a motor, a ball spline and a torque member moves a linkage assembly having an end effector with a negator spring that positively engages the circuit breaker. A switch module actuates the actuator from a remote location in order to move the linkage assembly and thus the circuit breaker to perform the racking operation from the remote location. Complicated field programming of the power module is not required.

A method and apparatus for converting DC input power to AC output power. The apparatus comprises an input capacitor, a DC-AC inverter, a burst mode controller for causing energy to be stored in the input capacitor during at least one storage period and the energy to be drawn from the input capacitor during at least one burst period, wherein the AC output power is greater than the DC input power during the at least one burst period; a first feedback loop for determining a maximum power point (MPP) and operating the DC-AC inverter proximate the MPP; and a second feedback loop for determining a difference in a first power measurement and a second power measurement, producing an error signal indicative of the difference, and coupling the error signal to the first feedback loop to adjust at least one operating parameter of the DC-AC inverter to drive toward the MPP.

An acoustic warning or alerting system for directing an audible warning signal to at least one intended recipient, while reducing the chance that the warning signal will be heard by others within the proximity of the system. The system includes a modulator for modulating an ultrasonic carrier signal with a processed audio signal, a driver amplifier for amplifying the modulated carrier signal, and a parametric array of acoustic transducers for projecting the modulated and amplified carrier signal through a propagation medium for subsequent regeneration of the audio signal along a pre-selected projection path. The parametric array of audio transducers operates by employing the nonlinear interaction between high frequency sound components and the propagation medium to generate at least one highly directional beam of lower frequency sounds within the propagation medium. The directional acoustic alerting system may be employed as a replacement for conventional alerting systems such as horns, whistles, and bells to assure that primarily only those people and / or animals intended to hear the warning signal actually hear the sound.

A noncontact power transmission system having a power transmitting device including a primary coil and a power receiving device including a secondary coil, the primary coil and the secondary coil being electromagnetically coupled to each other and the power transmitting device configured to transmit electric power to the power receiving device, wherein the secondary coil contains a magnetic substance, the power transmitting device has a feeding section for feeding power to the primary coil and a self inductance detection section for detecting a change in the self inductance of the primary coil immediately after starting the feeding to the primary coil, wherein a feeding operation of the feeding section immediately after starting the feeding is determined based on a detection result of the self inductance detection section.

An electronic circuit for use with an exhaustible power source and at least one load such as a light bulb, a radio or motor, includes a microchip with an input that transmits a signal to the microchip when the load is activated or deactivated. The input does not form a serial link between the power source and the load. The power switch, by on / off switching, controls energy flow from the power source to the load. The input to the microchip acts as an activation / deactivation user interface. The microchip allows the user to select a specific load, specific functions for the selected load based on the time duration of activation signals, the time duration between activation signals and the number of activation signals at the input.

A closed-loop control method for an electron beam freeform fabrication (EBF3) process includes detecting a feature of interest during the process using a sensor(s), continuously evaluating the feature of interest to determine, in real time, a change occurring therein, and automatically modifying control parameters to control the EBF3 process. An apparatus provides closed-loop control method of the process, and includes an electron gun for generating an electron beam, a wire feeder for feeding a wire toward a substrate, wherein the wire is melted and progressively deposited in layers onto the substrate, a sensor(s), and a host machine. The sensor(s) measure the feature of interest during the process, and the host machine continuously evaluates the feature of interest to determine, in real time, a change occurring therein. The host machine automatically modifies control parameters to the EBF3 apparatus to control the EBF3 process in a closed-loop manner.

A dimmer switch has a user adjustable high-end trim. The dimmer switch includes a bidirectional semiconductor switch, such as a triac, for controlling the amount of power delivered from a source of alternating current power to a lighting load, such as an electric lamp. A user-adjustable timing circuit controls the conduction time of the triac from a minimum time to a maximum time. The maximum possible conduction time of the triac is the high-end trim. The minimum possible conduction time of the triac is the low-end trim. The timing circuit includes a user-accessible switch that allows a user to reduce the high-end trim from a first nominal level to a second reduced level, lower than the first level, without substantially affecting the low-end trim. The switch allows a user to switch a transient voltage suppressor into and out of parallel connection with a resistor that is part of an RC timing circuit for the triac. The dimmer switch advantageously uses less energy and the lifetime of the lamp is extended when the second reduced level of the high-end trim is selected.

A power circuit interrupter includes a housing having an opening, one or more vacuum interrupters including separable contacts, and an operating mechanism, supported by the housing, adapted to open and close the contacts. A linear actuator cooperates with the operating mechanism to open and close the contacts, and is responsive to a close signal to close the contacts. A pivotable trip member protrudes through the opening of the housing and cooperates with the operating mechanism and the linear actuator to open the contacts when pivoted from a first position to a second position. A close circuit includes an input inputting the close signal. A micro-switch includes an operator and a contact electrically connected in series with the input of the close circuit. The operator is engaged by the pivotable trip member to open the contact in response to partial pivoting thereof from the first position toward the second position.

A circuit interrupter arc chute includes first and second support portions, an exit portion supported by the support portions, and a plurality of arc plates supported by the support portions. The exit portion has one or more vent openings. The arc plates have a first edge offset from the exit portion and an opposite second edge distal from the exit portion. A plurality of insulating dividing members are disposed between the arc plates. The members have a first edge proximate the exit portion and an opposite second edge distal from the exit portion. The second edge of the members extends beyond the arc plate first edges and toward the arc plate second edges. The first edge of the dividing members extends beyond the arc plate first edge and away from the arc plate second edge.

A driving circuit drives a switching element such that an ON-period of the switching element is shorter when a power receiving device is detected not to be placed than when the power receiving device is placed.

A method and apparatus for converting DC input power to AC output power. The apparatus comprises an input capacitor, a DC-AC inverter, a burst mode controller for causing energy to be stored in the input capacitor during at least one storage period and the energy to be drawn from the input capacitor during at least one burst period, wherein the AC output power is greater than the DC input power during the at least one burst period; a first feedback loop for determining a maximum power point (MPP) and operating the DC-AC inverter proximate the MPP; and a second feedback loop for determining a difference in a first power measurement and a second power measurement, producing an error signal indicative of the difference, and coupling the error signal to the first feedback loop to adjust at least one operating parameter of the DC-AC inverter to drive toward the MPP.

An electric power source for a motor vehicle is equipped with a welded state discriminator, and while a positive-side contactor and negative-side contactor are controlled to be switched off, the welded state discriminator detects a voltage of a positive-side contactor or negative-side contactor on its loading side with respect to a connecting point of a battery unit on a positive side and a battery unit on a negative side, so that when in a plus voltage where the detected voltage thus obtained is larger than a predetermined voltage, the positive-side contactor is judged to be in a welded state, and when in a minus voltage where the detected voltage is larger than the predetermined voltage, the negative-side contactor is judged to be in a welded state.

A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load from an AC power source provides improved sensory feedback to a user of the load control device. The load control device comprises a touch screen actuator having a touch sensitive front surface responsive to a plurality of point actuations, each characterized by a position and a force. The touch screen actuator has an output operatively coupled to a controller for providing a control signal representative of the position of the point actuation. The load control device further comprises a visual display and an audible sound generator, both responsive to the controller. The controller is operable to cause the visual display to illuminate and the audible sound generator to generate an audible sound in response to the control signal of the touch screen actuator.

A power node provides energy management and network expansion features in a networked data communications and control environment that may be utilized in an energy management system implementing a method of managing energy. Network expansion may be provided by integrating a networking bridge from a power line network to one or more wired network ports or a wireless network. The power outlet on the power node providing power to a device may be identified and associated with information about the device.